I don’t know this band all that well. Was introduced to them back in high school, around 2007.
their sound can be a bit hard on the ears…. but ya know, it’s that time of year.
http://akronfamily.bandpage.com/
TICKETS:
http://www.songkick.com/concerts/15375399-akronfamily-at-blind-pig
I was very interested to see the Michigan Theater Department put on this production. August: Osage County is an elaborate play about a family dealing with the disappearance of the patriarch, a matriarch with a drug problem, three sisters managing their respective marriages. It is a play in three parts, on one set piece, the interior of their childhood home. It is an emotionally challenging production for the actors and the audience.
I was very impressed by junior, Jacqueline Toboni’s performance. She played the eldest daughter, Barbara, who is struggling with the separation from her husband, raising a teenage daughter, a pill popping mother and holding the family together in the face of the loss of her father. Mrs. Toboni has a very commanding stage presence and a powerful voice. She was very comfortable in her skin and effortlessly brought the audience into the drama of this family.
Elly Jarvis, Violet the mother, had a very challenging role to portray. The longer the production went on the more haunting her performance became. A very difficult part to embody.
Over all I think this ensemble was very strong. There were some challenges with projection for some, making it seem as though they were shouting their lines. The audience reaction was very positive. There was a lot of enthusiasm for these actors and this production.
August: Osage County won a tony for best new play in 2008. Written by Tracy Letts. This piece of theater is one of the best contemporary pieces that has come out in the last ten years, in my opinion. Excellently represented by this theater department.
Ben Folds may have the best stage presence of any musician I have ever experienced. His stage presence is demanding, fun, entertaining and enjoyable. He is funny as all get out and unashamed to make mistakes. He received some song requests before his performance of pieces he hadn’t performed in a number of years, which required him to print out lyrics from the internet! What other musician would admit to that? I have never experienced such humility in a performer.
Listening to recordings of Ben Folds doesn’t do this man justice. His songs are not only melodically and lyrically beautiful, but it’s the energy Mr. Folds puts into his performances that really makes him such an incredible artist.
I was somewhat familiar with Ben Folds’ music. But was in no way prepared for the energy or the piano skills he brought to this performance. Really if you ever have a chance to see this man perform, I highly suggest it!
http://www.benfolds.com/
Unfortunately the members of the innovative student group Music Matters: http://michiganmusicmatters.com/home/about.html, made a bit of a musical mistake with the band they chose to directly proceed Mr. Folds. “Radical Something” is a sad excuse for a hip hop group. I had to leave the concert hall, along with a number of audience members. https://soundcloud.com/weareradical
The first opening band however, was really enjoyable. Motel Model is a local Ann Arbor band, with a lovely sound and excellent look. Definitely check them out: http://motelmodelmusic.com/listen
August: Osage County is an amazing, compelling and complex family story. I am excited to see this Michigan Theater Department production of this incredible piece of theater.
The production of August: Osage County will on stage at:
The Arthur Miller Theater
on:
April 4 & 11 at 7:30 PM
April 5, 6, 12 & 13 at 8 PM
April 7 & 14 at 2 PM
PLEASE go see this production… I will have more to report on Saturday.
http://www.music.umich.edu/performances_events/productions/2012-2013/august-osagecty.htm
Ben Folds is coming to the University of Michigan on Thursday April 11th 8pm at Hill Auditorium. He is a very beautiful musician and a local band will be opening for him.
tickets at:
http://muto.umich.edu/event/ben-folds-ann-arbor
New Beat Happening (NBH), a music oriented student group on campus who bring a nationally renowned band to U-Mich’s campus every winter semester, snagged Rogue Wave for this weekend’s performance in the Michigan League Ballroom. A some local talent, winner of NBH’s Battle of the Bands last fall, The Paths (formerly Rosepoem) opened for Rogue Wave last Friday night:
http://www.thepaths.org/
I was not present for The Path’s performance but had heard them in the fall at Battle of the Bands and rather enjoy their sound.
Going into this performance I was not aware of how many Rogue Wave songs I was familiar with. The band put on an energetic performance, jumping and chatting with the crowed of 250+ students. The bassist became so enthused that he fell backward on stage, continued to play and was able to stand back up with out breaking rhythm or melody. A very impressive feat.
Rogue Wave is coming out with a new album this summer. They were grateful to have this opportunity to perform, having not toured for at least three years.
If you are interested in bringing bands like Rogue Wave, Girl Talk, Lupe Fiasco, Broken Social Scene and others to the Michigan Campus become a part of New Beat Happening!!
